Representing providers of Outdoor Adventurous Activities in South Wales and the Brecon Beacons
SWOAPG_admin The Welsh Government wants our views about their proposal to identify The Warren, Hay-on-Wye as a bathing water for the 2024 bathing season. Consultation ends: 19 February 2024. Find out more on: Bathing water review Wales 2024 | GOV.WALES. SWOAPG has submitted the attached response – please feel free to use this as a template … Read more
Activity Providers based in or near Blaenavon or Torfaen might be interested in the following event: “Cwmpas and Torfaen CBC invite you to a unique event on Tuesday 5th March (10.00-15.30) at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall, where you will have the opportunity to work alongside members of your community and those from further afield to develop … Read more
We have received the following message from NRW: “Had a report today from an activity provider of a strong odour that made them feel unwell. Nothing obvious in water and another group of adults in water that hadn’t noticed but if anyone feels there is a big problem could they contact Environment Team South Powys: … Read more
We have received the following message from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority: “We had to put in place yesterday an emergency footpath closure, please see attached map notifications for reference. Unfortunately, one of NRW’s trees has uprooted, fallen across the footpath and struck one of the bridges on the footpath, causing lots of damage to the … Read more
SWOAPG Members may be aware of the ‘Outdoors for All’ manifesto launched recently by a coalition of 36 partners calling for new legislation to open up more countryside for public enjoyment, including waterways, woodland, riversides and downland (see e.g. the BMC announcement at Outdoors For All: A manifesto for the outdoor sector). Although presented as … Read more
We have added a new workshop: Mon 4 Mar 2024 CPD Workshop: Learn about…Clydach Gorge and formal booking is now open for: 19 Mar 2024 CPD Workshop: Learn about…Porth yr Ogof Click on the links to book ‘tickets’…
The Cambrian Caving Council team have recently installed new P bolts for ladder and SRT in Will’s Hole (the cave in the Sychryd gorge), replacing the old 8mm spits. As of 2nd FEBRUARY they will have cured and be safe to use (although there is some tidying up still to be done to remove excess … Read more
Following recent rain, the LARGE tree-trunk that was outside the entrance to Porth yr Ogof has now been swept inside and is forming a blockage on river-left in the main chamber (which means the entire width of the river is now obstructed). It’s currently possible to clamber over this tree, but more rain will likely … Read more
The suspension footbridge across the Usk downstream of the Talybont access point (upstream of Mill Falls; about 100m upstream of the NRW gauging station) has recently collapsed – after many years of looking in a sorry state – and is currently forming a river-wide strainer. It appears to be possible to portage (at low levels, … Read more
Since Powys County Council suspended the launching of paddle-craft at Upper Glas-y-Bont Common (‘the Bont’) at Glasbury on 1 April 2021 to conduct a Habitat Regulations Assessment, SWOAPG has been working with the Council on a Concordat Arrangement for Management of Paddlesport Operations – drawing on our experience of our Waterfall Country gorge-walking Concordat with … Read more